Listening to the Prophets

Throughout the history of mankind, prophets have brought spiritual guidance to free mankind from the slavery of anger, lust, hatred and violence. But sadly, their true message has been largely lost in the clutter of man-made rules and self-centered interpretations.

In the Qur'an, we are told that the message of all the prophets should be heard and understood, not just one specific prophet. The revelation that we should "make no distinction between one and another of His messengers" is repeated several times in order to emphasize how important this really is:

Surely those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and (those who) desire to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and desire to take a course between (this and) that.

Such are disbelievers in truth; and for disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom.

And those who believe in Allah and His messengers and do not make a distinction between any of them-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

surah al-nisa (4.150-152)

Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

surah al-baqarah (2.136)

Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and what was given to Musa and Isa and to the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.

surah al-'imran (3.84)

The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."

surah al-baqarah (2.285)

Some have taught that only one certain prophet has been given the message, or that only one specific prophet has received the message correctly. But that is not the truth. That is simply the on-going battle between the head and the heart.

The head (the selfish ego) will always try to divide and separate everything, while the heart longs for unity and oneness. Throughout the ages, mankind has all too often followed the guidance of the head, and not the guidance of the heart.

The head, the self-centered ego, will attempt to take credit for everything of merit, when in fact everything of merit occurs only by the grace of Allah. The head will attempt to divide everything, and will produce a sense of "I", "me", "mine" which separates and isolates every person, bringing division and strife.

That unfortunate situation has led us to such foolishness as war, violence, anger, hatred and division into various sects one against the other.

The Qur'an warns us about such division:

And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher:
therefore fear Me (and no other).
But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects:
each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.

surah al-mu'nimun (23.52-54)

As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects,
thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah:
He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.

surah al-anam (6.159)

Turn ye back in repentance to Him, and fear Him:
establish regular prayers, and be not ye among those who join gods with Allah,-
or those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,-
each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!

surah al-rum (30.31-32)

Inevitably this will lead to the question: which messages should we listen to?? Clearly there are lunatics in this world who should not be followed. How then can we distinguish which messages to listen to?

The answer is simple: we must follow the heart, not the head.

The heart is the peaceful temple of the Almighty One.

The head is full of incessant earthly chatter.

The heart strives for unity.

The head is attracted to division.

The heart enjoys loving-kindness.

The head finds expression through anger and greed.

The heart is filled with understanding.

The head is the master of selfish misinterpretation.

The heart is full of answers and "knowing".

The head is full of questions and arguments.

The heart expresses love and generosity.

The head thrives on selfishness and domination.

The heart knows that it is an instrument of God.

The head believes in its own accomplishments.

The heart knows only the unity of "Thou"

The head knows only "me", "mine", "I"

Wherever one finds a message of the heart, it should be honored, and wherever one finds a message of the head, it should be viewed with suspicion. That is, if the message is unity, brotherhood, love, understanding, compassion and generosity, then there is something worth listening to. But if the message is of division, anger, hatred, greed and selfishness, then it should be avoided.

The heart should be allowed to lead and the head should follow. For all too many people, their head is continually leading them into the suffering of anger, greed, lust and confusion. Indeed, the head is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

While the head will attempt to divide, separate and isolate through the sense if "I", "me" "mine". In contrast, the heart will unify, connect and embrace all of creation. Which will you choose?

Only the heart can understand the message of the prophets. Follow your heart, give all credit and all praise to Allah, and discover the ever-present guidance of the One, the Only One, who can transform life from mere drudgery into glorious splendor.